Medium Demand — Horse Camping & Sessions Lake Fishing

Ionia State Recreation Area

Ionia County · Lower Peninsula · Ionia, MI 48846
144
Campsites
4,000
Acres
From $22
Per Night
14
Miles of Trail
Season: April – November
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (616) 527-3750
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Ionia State Recreation Area

Ionia State Recreation Area covers about 4,000 acres of rolling farmland-turned-parkland in west-central Michigan, centered on 200-acre Sessions Lake. The park is especially well known among equestrian campers, with a dedicated horse camp, staging area, and an extensive network of horse trails alongside its hiking and mountain biking routes.

The modern campground offers 100 electric sites near Sessions Lake, which is stocked and popular for bass and panfish. A separate 46-site equestrian campground serves horse campers directly at the trailhead, and a small rustic Beechwood Hike-in Campground (about 16 sites, vault toilets, hand-pump water) offers a quieter, no-hookup option — making Ionia one of the more complete horse-camping destinations in the Lower Peninsula.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Sessions Lake Campground100 sitesElectricFamilies, fishing, mountain biking
Equestrian Campground46 sitesNone (rustic)Horse camping
Beechwood Rustic Hike-in Campground≈16 sitesNone (vault toilets, hand pump)Quiet, hike-in tent camping
Heads up: If you're bringing horses, reserve the separate equestrian campground specifically — the main Sessions Lake Campground doesn't have horse facilities.
Local tip: Sessions Lake is stocked and a solid bet for bass and panfish — bring a rod even if fishing isn't the main reason for your trip.

Campground Map

Ionia State Recreation Area campground map
Official Ionia Recreation Area campground map — Michigan DNR

Horse Camping & Sessions Lake

The park's signature feature is its dedicated equestrian infrastructure — a separate horse camp and staging area feeding into roughly 14 miles of trail, much of it shared with hikers and mountain bikers. Sessions Lake adds swimming, fishing, and a disc golf course to the mix.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Ionia State Recreation Area opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.

Set a CampDrop Alert

If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Ionia.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (616) 527-3750

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 100 sites at Sessions Lake Campground offer electric service. The equestrian campground and the Beechwood Hike-in Campground are both rustic, with no hookups.

Season

The park typically operates April through November; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Pets

Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.

Fishing

Sessions Lake is regularly stocked and popular for bass and panfish, with a boat launch for small craft.

Directions

Ionia State Recreation Area is located at 2880 David Hwy, Ionia, MI 48846, in Ionia County, between Grand Rapids and Lansing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it has a dedicated equestrian campground and staging area feeding into an extensive network of horse trails, making it one of the more complete horse-camping destinations in the Lower Peninsula.

The Sessions Lake Campground has 144 modern electric campsites, plus a separate equestrian campground.

Yes, 200-acre Sessions Lake is regularly stocked and popular for bass and panfish, with a boat launch for small craft.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. For sold-out dates, a CampDrop alert will text you the moment a cancellation opens up a site.

The park typically operates April through November. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

It's in Ionia County, roughly between Grand Rapids and Lansing.